Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at nature restoration promises waiting to be kept, two islands testing what their technology and their vines can do, and new homes opening their doors from the Azores to Celorico de Basto.
The President of the Republic called the revitalisation of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park a promise left unfulfilled for too long, noting that almost none of the 155 million euros announced after the 2022 fire has been invested. Speaking in Guarda, he argued for far more investment in fire prevention and response.
An opinion piece argues that the roughly 500 million euros a year foreseen for nature restoration in Portugal until 2030 will only work if the planning is done at river basin scale, with clear ecological indicators and local communities involved. The Alentejo and the Algarve are singled out as both vulnerable and promising ground for pilot projects.
Researcher Pedro Neves, of the Madeira Oceanic Observatory, says the region now has remotely operated and autonomous vehicles capable of exploring the deep sea. Until now the BioMa monitoring programme stopped at 30 metres, so entirely unknown habitats may soon come into view.
EDP has abandoned the 169 million euro Grande Lago hybrid floating solar and wind project at Alqueva, citing rising costs, falling wholesale prices and environmental objections over a transmission line crossing vulture habitat. Only one of the six floating solar projects from the 2022 tender still holds environmental approval.
Between 2023 and 2025 the ICNF opened 29 administrative offence cases for the destruction of swallow nests and eggs, a practice banned since 1999. Fines run from 250 to 3,740 euros for individuals and up to 44,890 euros for companies or condominiums.
Célia Alves, of the University of Aveiro, took part in a Nature study by 53 researchers from 13 countries analysing some 18,500 daily measurements at 103 European sites between 2012 and 2021. The findings point to intensifying dust from North Africa and the Middle East, with consequences for air quality and public health.
The municipality inaugurated 37 new public housing units in Gandarela and Fermil, the first phase of a local housing strategy worth 40 million euros by 2030. With 104 homes already completed, the council is aiming for 300 by the end of the decade.
A cycling and walking route connecting Moura, Serpa and Beja is moving forward with backing from the Alentejo regional tourism body. Further detail on the project remains limited for now.
EEM/ENEREEM is investing around 19.65 million euros in new and replacement wind turbines at Loiral III, Paul and Porto Santo, to cut fossil fuel use in the thermal power stations. Household bills, however, are set by ERSE through tariff convergence with the mainland, so more wind power does not automatically mean cheaper electricity.
On the roadside trellises of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, the grapes are colouring ahead of a harvest that officially begins on 31 August. Around 3,000 tonnes are expected, some 10 per cent more than last year, with higher subsidies for the Tinta Negra and Boal varieties.
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
